By Staff Reporter
Romuald Wadagni was officially sworn in as the new president of Benin on Sunday, succeeding former leader Patrice Talon after serving for a decade as finance minister.
The 49-year-old economist and technocrat took the oath of office during a ceremony held in the capital, Cotonou, promising to govern with “integrity, courage and commitment.”
“I will serve Benin with the constant knowledge that power is never a personal privilege,” Wadagni declared during his inauguration speech.
Wadagni won the April 12 presidential election with 94 percent of the vote, defeating opposition candidate Paul Hounkpe. His victory further strengthened the political movement associated with Talon, whose administration oversaw major economic reforms and infrastructure development.
The main opposition party, the Democrats, failed to participate in the election after struggling to secure enough endorsements amid internal divisions.
As finance minister, Wadagni earned recognition for stabilising Benin’s public finances, reducing the national budget deficit to three percent of GDP and helping sustain strong economic growth over the past decade.
Despite the economic progress, the new president faces major challenges, including widening inequality and growing insecurity in northern Benin, where attacks linked to jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda have increased in recent years.
“Benin will not give in to fear nor complacency,” Wadagni said. “The government will be firm against all those who threaten our unity and security.”
His administration is also expected to focus on rebuilding relations with neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso, both currently led by military juntas and grappling with Islamist insurgencies.
In a notable sign of improving regional ties, Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine attended the inauguration ceremony and received applause from attendees.
Wadagni begins his presidency under Benin’s revised constitution, which now grants presidents a seven-year term instead of the previous five-year mandate.
